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2018 Student Design Competition

Student Design Competition

Paper Deadline: Friday, April 13, 2018 11:59 pm ET

The Student Design Competition (SDC) is open to undergraduate or graduate students from any discipline who have a creative and innovative design that will assist an individual with a disability to function more independently.

Entries are judged on originality, quality of design and usefulness to persons with disabilities. The RESNA SDC has a long history of providing a forum for the work of energetic students representing a wide variety of disciplines including mechanical, electrical and biomedical engineering, computer information science and architecture.

SDC winners have frequently moved on to become leaders in the field of Assistive Technology.

A 6-page paper, working prototype, video, and photos are all that is required.

· Semi-finalist teams win a trip for two members to travel to the RESNA Annual Conference and a free one-year membership to RESNA.

· Students showcase their designs to an international audience at the conference, gaining connections to help start a career in assistive technology.

· Cash prizes and more awarded to top designs.

· All entries are posted and promoted on a competition website and through social media.

Cash Prizes

· First place: $1,000

· Second place: $700

· Third Place: $300

TREAT prize

(Technology Most Likely to Become Commercially Available)

· $500 and product development consultation

Eligibility:

﻿· Undergraduate and master's level graduate students of an accredited university

· Designs may be submitted by individual students or student teams.

· The submission must document the design and fabrication of a device used by one or more individuals to maximize independence.

· Entries may be written by new professionals, but only if the design was completed and tested while the individual was a student. (*A letter from a faculty member confirming that the new professional was a student when the design was completed must be included*)